2024 Fogwell Syrah (Western Cape)

A plan hatched by Chris Alheit of Alheit Vineyards and his friend Dr. William Fogwell (Hermanus-based chiropractor). A blend of two vineyards. A third of the blend is from the Swartland, a farm called Ongegund on slate soils, just north of Porseleinberg - Ongegund is the source of Donovan Rall’s highly rated Ava Syrah. This portion is vinified one-third whole-cluster, two-thirds destemmed, and matured in old 228l oak barrels. The remaining two-thirds come from an even more famous site: the Karbib vineyard in the Polkadraai hills, southern Stellenbosch, on granite soils - this vineyard is the source of Lukas van Loggerenberg’s Graft Syrah. This portion is vinified 100% whole-cluster and matured in a mix of old 228l barrels and cement tanks. Both components spend ten months ageing prior to blending and bottling. Spicy and dark-fruited, with tight structure, ripe tannins and the fresh, restrained Alheit style in evidence. The high-toned, spice-driven character of Graft shows through, with added breadth and suppleness from the Swartland portion. Decanting, at this point, is recommended, as the wine unfurls slowly; it should benefit greatly from ageing. (JH 10/04/2026)